Zomedica Announces Acquisition of TRUFORMA Platform Developer Qorvo Biotech LLC, Accelerating Timeline to Gain Control of Manufacturing and Research & Development
Zomedica Press Release
ANN ARBOR, MI / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Zomedica Corp. (NYSE American:ZOM) ("Zomedica" or the "Company"), a veterinary health company offering diagnostic and therapeutic devices for companion animals, today announced the acquisition of Qorvo Biotechnologies LLC (QBT), creators of the Omnia™ and TRUFORMA® point of care diagnostic platforms.
Qorvo Biotechnologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qorvo US, Inc., focused on the development of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics solutions leveraging Qorvo's innovative Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) sensor technology. QBT developed the Omnia point of care diagnostic platform designed to perform assays for human patients and received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests. Utilizing the same BAW technology, QBT also developed the TRUFORMA point of care diagnostic platform to perform assays for companion animals which has been marketed under license by Zomedica Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Zomedica Inc.
"With this acquisition, we fully acquire QBT, which has been developing and manufacturing our TRUFORMA platform, including the instrument, software and several important veterinary diagnostic assays," commented Larry Heaton, Chief Executive Officer of Zomedica. "A primary focus with this acquisition will be on capturing margin improvements by assuming QBT's manufacturing systems, instead of building out our own manufacturing processes; as well as accelerating assay development for the TRUFORMA platform. This acquisition will also allow us to avoid future operating and capital expenses incurred by building R&D and manufacturing staff internally, as well as eliminating remaining payments, including license fees, transition fees and future royalties, that would be due to QBT under the previous agreement.
"While this acquisition includes both the human and veterinary health components of QBT's business, our focus at Zomedica will continue to be within the veterinary space. As such, we will be considering various strategic options for capturing value for the human health part of the acquired business.
"We're particularly pleased with the timing of this acquisition as we have just launched our equine eACTH assay and are looking forward to launching additional assays for common non-infectious GI conditions such as vomiting and diarrhea, both of which we expect to accelerate growth of the TRUFORMA product line."
The Omnia and TRUFORMA diagnostic platforms utilize Qorvo, Inc.'s proprietary BAW sensor technology that provides highly precise and sensitive measurements at the point of care. In conjunction with the acquisition, the Company also updated its ongoing long-term supply agreement with Qorvo, Inc., for the ongoing purchase of these unique sensors.
Tony Blair, the Company's Chief Operating Officer commented, "With this acquisition, we will not need to hire and train new workers, nor will we need to install new manufacturing equipment in our Roswell facility. Instead, we will assume QBT's Plymouth, MN based manufacturing line along with the very experienced staff that have been in place for several years. This will allow us to gain cost improvements now that will drive margin expansion over the coming years."
Currently, TRUFORMA systems provide accurate, rapid, and reliable diagnostic results to veterinarians to assist in diagnosis and treatment of complex thyroid and adrenal conditions. It features the only assays available at the point of care for feline-optimized TSH, Free-T4 (fT4), and canine and equine endogenous ACTH (eACTH), all providing reference lab quality with point of care convenience.
"Zomedica has enjoyed its partnership with QBT, developers of the TRUFORMA point of care diagnostic platform for animal health, which we launched in March 2021," stated Ashley Wood, PhD, Vice President of Research & Development at Zomedica. "We continue to be extremely impressed with this best-in-class technology and its ability to provide diagnostic results not otherwise available at the point of care, and we are excited about future assay development opportunities."
For more information on Zomedica please visit www.zomedica.com.
About Zomedica
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zomedica (NYSE American: ZOM) is a veterinary health company creating products for companion animals by focusing on the unmet needs of clinical veterinarians. Zomedica's product portfolio will include innovative diagnostics and medical devices that emphasize patient health and practice health. It is Zomedica's mission to provide veterinarians the opportunity to increase productivity and grow revenue while better serving the animals in their care. For more information, visit www.ZOMEDICA.com.
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SOURCE:Zomedica Corp.